N.H. Senate Refuses To Consider Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

New Hampshire's Senate has refused to consider a House bill that would have decriminalized possession of up to an ounce of marijuana.

Without comment, the Senate sent the bill back to the House on Thursday, citing a Senate rule on not considering bills killed in the first year of the two-year legislative session. The move effectively kills the bill.

The Senate rejected a bill to decriminalize possession of up to one-quarter ounce of the drug last year. Gov. Maggie Hassan also opposes decriminalization.

The House bill would have made possession of up to an ounce a violation. The House has passed similar measures each of the past five years.

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Last year, supporters of marijuana use for health purposes cheered when a bill became law. They’ve since been frustrated, however, over the timeframe of dispensaries and patient cards, also the lack of a “grow your own” option. But others say patience is needed, that implementation should be done carefully to avoid dangerous mistakes.

Those hoping for the legalization of marijuana in New Hampshire now say they have momentum on their side, coming from several different directions. First, after years of defeats, supporters saw their first real victory in the Granite State last year when medicinal pot was voted into law. Second, marijuana legalization has now passed in two states, Colorado and Washington. And third, a new legalization bill this year passed the house by a slim margin.